Fulani herdsmen share kolanut with Fayose, swear oath not to allow cows stray into Ekiti farms
Governor Ayo Fayose and Fulani herdsmen have embraced an unusual method in ensuring the peaceful coexistence in Ekiti State continues.
Fayose held a stakeholders meeting with all concerned parties, and they all agreed to take traditional oath in abiding by their pledges.
The oath was to ensure that herdsmen in the state will, henceforth, never behave unruly, kill or allow their cows to stray into farms.
The unorthodox attempt at peacekeeping was administered by Alhaji Ardo Mairero, the Sarkin Fulani of Kwara State.
Notable persons in attendance at the meeting included Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, Alhaji Mohammad Leewa, National President, Miyetti Allah, Mohammad Kiruwa, Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti Deputy Governor, Olusola Kolapo, Secretary to State Government, (SSG), Modupe Alade, Chief of Staff, Dipo Anisulowo, Agriculture Commissioner, Kehinde Odebunmi and Miyetti Allah national and zonal leaders.
A statement, signed by Fayose and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Ekiti State to that effect, was released through the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fayose, Mr. Idowu Adelusi.
“Of most significance of the peace meeting of February 19 by the stakeholders was the traditional oath taken with kolanuts as agreement that the herdsmen in Ekiti will not behave unruly any longer, kill or allow their cows to stray into farms,” Adewusi said.
“It was administered with kola and sharing of the kola, which is a Fulani tradition that is binding on the initiators. With this oath, issues of robbery, killing, damaging of farms and kidnapping among others being allegedly perpetuated by Fulani herders are over in the state.”
Also stated in the communique was that “herdsmen must stop attacks on any member of the host communities, any herder that breaches the peace should be prepared to face the wrath of the law, and Ekiti people should not provoke the herdsman or kill their cattle.”
“It is therefore agreed that pastoralists / farmers crisis and killings, under any guise must stop immediately. The meeting supports the anti-night grazing stand of the law because it protects the interest of all parties, and the law taken its course in the violation of letters of these resolutions. Similarly, the meeting describes Governor Fayose as a peaceful leader who represents hope for all,” it concluded.
